Algae ID

[Rocktron1]

Tell me more! I am going to try a microscope at work and see what I can see.

Basically just sick some of this stuff up with a turkey blaster, then filter it through a paper towel on top of a glass. Leave it for couple of hours, if it starts to clump together in glass it's Dino's

Apparently the paper towels don't filter out the Dino's, but do filter out regular algae . There's quite few threads in here explaining this process

If it is GHA and your desperate flux rx will get rid of it, but be warned it will mess with your system. I'm still recovering from it months later although no more hair algae, but it did cause a few other algae outbreaks such as cyno and diatoms. Id try other methods 1st and resort to the chemical treatment as a last resort

 

[BetterJake]

Keep in mind that Dinos can be present within GHA, if you nuke the GHA with Flux RX you can risk the dinos having even less things to compete against. The paper towel test can work to confirm but I will say the microscope is a great investment for under $100, which for the reefing hobby is not too expensive.

 

[Dan_P]

So I did notice almost a bright red algae almost hair like in a few spots the other day. What could that have been?

A photo under white light would be helpful.

 

[CWalters]

Keep in mind that Dinos can be present within GHA, if you nuke the GHA with Flux RX you can risk the dinos having even less things to compete against. The paper towel test can work to confirm but I will say the microscope is a great investment for under $100, which for the reefing hobby is not too expensive.

So excuse my ignorance… are Dino’s just “hiding” in the GHA or are Dino’s hair like algae as well

 

[BetterJake]

So excuse my ignorance… are Dino’s just “hiding” in the GHA or are Dino’s hair like algae as wel

It can be both.

Dinos such as prorocentrum produce a heavy mucus and a matt like algae appearance all on their own.

Some like Osteoporosis can attach to anything, high flow areas, and other algae as well.

LCA and SCA dinos can look like a dusting on the sanded.

It's also possible to have multiple types of dinos at one time.

This actually is the best reason why it's good to ID with a microscope. As certain Dino types require different treatments. UV of osteoporosis, silicate dosing for the others.